Only Days Left to Submit your Written Comments to FDA

The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

The FDA has a short window of opportunity for you to provide written comments to stop plant-based products from labeling their products as “milk.” The federal standards of identity are in place to promote “honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers.” Labels that call “nut juice” milk not only deceive consumers, but also negatively impact family farmers as demand for milk has dropped. Many consumers believe the nutritional content of milk and plant-based beverage products are identical. However, that could not be further from the truth.

The FDA is currently evaluating its labeling standards as part of its “Comprehensive, Multi-Year Nutrition Innovation Strategy.” Formal ADC comments have been submitted to the FDA demanding the use of the term “milk” to be used only on items derived from FDA’s standard 21 CFR 101.3(b)(2), which is the FDA standard established by federal regulation.

“You, the FDA, play a critical role in promoting public health by ensuring that food labeling provides consumers with reliable, evidence-based information so they can make informed choices about the healthfulness of the foods they purchase.”— excerpt from ADC’s public comments submitted by Kim Bremmer, Executive Advisory Committee Member of the American Dairy Coalition.

It is crucial dairy farmers and allied partners of the dairy industry speak up and submit their commentary on why the word “milk” must be reserved for real dairy milk! The FDA is receiving comments until August 27. Commentary can be submitted electronically at https://www.regulations.gov./document?D=FDA-2018-N-2381-0001 or by mail, but time is running out.

In addition to providing verbal comments at the FDA’s Public Hearing last month, ADC has also launched a initiative campaign to “take back the word milk” called, Protecting Milk Integrity Initiative. This ADC initiative includes a petition drive and so far has received numerous signatures from consumers residing in almost 30 different states across the nation.

The American Dairy Coalition (ADC) is a farmer-led national lobbying organization of progressive, modern dairy farmers. We focus on federal dairy policy. For more information, contact CEO Laurie Fischer at 920-965-6070